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Is a manual or electric toothbrush better?
Both have very good properties and, when used properly, remove plaque and prevent cavities.
Manual toothbrushes are the most basic and traditional. They are cheaper and come in many shapes and types. They require more effort to brush properly than electric toothbrushes.
Electric toothbrushes have a head that oscillates and rotates, allowing plaque to be removed without damaging the gums. Some studies say that they remove more plaque than traditional toothbrushes. They are also more expensive.
There are many types of toothbrushes, both manual and electric, and both do their job well. Our doctors can advise you on which one is best for you.
How often do you floss? How do you use it?
In addition to brushing, flossing is an important part of dental hygiene.
Flossing helps remove plaque and food debris from areas that cannot be reached with a toothbrush, such as between the gums and teeth.
Therefore, flossing is recommended daily. There are multiple floss options. Ask your doctor to recommend the most appropriate one for you.
Why are my gums bleeding? Is this normal?
When teeth are not brushed properly or regular dental cleanings are performed, plaque builds up on the teeth and the bacteria it contains begin to cause redness, irritation and swelling of the gums.
Many patients do not realize this because it does not usually cause severe symptoms, but if left untreated it can develop into periodontitis.
Can whitening damage my teeth?
Teeth whitening does not damage the enamel, but in some patients it may cause temporary sensitivity; an assessment is necessary before starting the treatment.
Can cavities form around an old filling?
Even in teeth with fillings, cavities can form around them, destroying the tooth structure again.
Bacteria spread to the surrounding areas, destroying the tooth, causing fissures, pain, or even fractures.
If detected in time, treatment can be a filling or an inlay. If left in time, it can reach the nerve and require a root canal or even lead to tooth loss.
What happens if I hit my head and a tooth falls out?
When a tooth is completely displaced from the mouth, it is called avulsion, usually due to a bruise or facial trauma.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE YOUR TOOTH.
The cavity in your mouth bleeds and clots. It is important to go to your dentist as soon as possible. Normally, control x-rays will be performed to verify that there is no damage to the surrounding tissues.
Your doctor will evaluate the best treatment option to keep your tooth in your mouth.
I broke a tooth, can it be fixed?
A tooth is usually broken by a blow to the face or mouth. Treatment depends on the depth of the fracture.
When it is very deep and the nerve of the tooth is exposed, there is a risk of infection, pain or tooth loss if it is not treated immediately. Your doctor will take a series of x-rays to rule out further areas of damage.
The most important thing is to see your doctor as soon as possible so that he can offer you the best treatment to preserve your tooth and restore its function and aesthetics.
Are my teeth moving?
When teeth begin to move, gums are inflamed, bleed, bone loss, bad breath and in some cases infection can even cause serious health diseases.
If left untreated, it can continue to progress to severe bone and gum loss. The most appropriate treatment for you will be assessed by your doctor, but it normally consists of deep cleaning of the gums.
Check-ups are very important to avoid a relapse.
What is a sealant? Do adults also have their molars sealed?
It is a more liquid resin that does not require tooth preparation, just dry and apply the material that will polymerize with a light. It will only take a few minutes.
They are used to prevent the accumulation of plaque and bacteria on the surface of molars and premolars, thus avoiding cavities.
They are normally placed on permanent teeth of children and adolescents but also in adults with very marked occlusal grooves. They last several years and the doctor will check them periodically during his visits.
What is a sealant? Do adults also have their molars sealed?
It is a more liquid resin that does not require tooth preparation, just dry and apply the material that will polymerize with a light. It will only take a few minutes.
They are used to prevent the accumulation of plaque and bacteria on the surface of molars and premolars, thus avoiding cavities.
They are normally placed on permanent teeth of children and adolescents but also in adults with very marked occlusal grooves. They last several years and the doctor will check them periodically during his visits.
What is better a resin or an inlay?
When we have a cavity and the tooth requires a restoration, there are two solutions: resin or inlay.
When the cavity or area to be restored is not very large, resin is the best choice and a lot of tooth tissue is preserved. It is done in a single appointment, directly on the tooth, restoring its anatomy. It is cheaper but in the long term it is not as stable.
When we find cavities or larger areas to be restored, it is best to do an inlay. The clear difference is that it is made and designed outside the mouth so it fits exactly to the area of the mouth to be restored. It is less prone to failure than resin because of its perfect seal.
It requires 2 appointments, it is a little more expensive but in the long term it has a better prognosis.
Both options are very good and it will depend on your doctor's recommendation for the choice.
What are dental aligners? Can I align my teeth without braces?
Los alienadores dentales son unas guardas transparentes que se diseñan virtualmente para ir corrigiendo poco a poco la posición de tus dientes.
Y que tendrán que ser revisados por su doctor para ir dirigiendo el movimiento y decidir cuándo cambiar al siguiente.
Normalmente es para movimientos ortodóncicos no muy complicados.
What is a crown?
When a tooth's structure is compromised, a crown restores it to its form and function.
The tooth is prepared to make room for the crown and an impression is taken to be fabricated in the laboratory and can be made from different materials such as metal, ceramic or zirconia. Finally, the crown is cemented.
This video shows you how a crown restores a damaged tooth, using impressions to create a custom restoration.
What is a dental implant?
The implant is a titanium screw that replaces the root of the tooth and a component and crown are manufactured that replaces the functionality and aesthetics of the tooth.
What happens if I grind my teeth at night?
Clenching or grinding your teeth during sleep is very common. This can cause joint or muscle discomfort and tooth wear. This video will show you the causes, symptoms and consequences of excessive teeth clenching or grinding.
When I smile I show a lot of gum, can this be corrected?
A “gummy smile” can be caused by a variety of factors. In this video, we show you how a gummy smile can have a variety of causes and how it is important to work with your dentist to determine the best solution for your individualized treatment:
What is a post-filled restoration? Is a filling necessary after a root canal?
When there is a very large cavity that requires a root canal, the subsequent reconstruction will depend on the amount of tooth left to assess whether it needs a pin or not.
If it is large, a pin will be placed in one of the roots to give it stability and reinforce the filling to then prepare for taking impressions for the crown.
Can my implants get infected?
Peri-implantitis is the inflammation of the gum and bone around implants as a result of bone loss. The most common cause is plaque around the implant, the bacteria in the plaque produce toxins that irritate the gum and bone.
If left untreated, it can progress to the point of losing the implant, if treated early there are many types of treatments available to stop the process and treat the damage.
That is why it is so important to go for check-ups.Si no se trata pueden avanzar hasta el punto de perder el implante, si se trata pronto hay mucho tipos de tratamientos disponibles para parar el proceso y tratar los daños.
Por eso es tan importante acudir a las revisiones.
What is a closed sinus lift with implant placement?
When sometimes we do not have enough bone to integrate an implant in the upper arch, the sinus could be damaged, for this a technique called atraumatic sinus lift is used.
To do this, a bed is made in the area where the implant will go, with some instruments or drills the sinus is carefully accessed, filling material is introduced
Why do I have a dry mouth?
Dry mouth is when not enough saliva is produced. There are different causes such as certain types of medications, medical treatments, smoking, oral breathing and other factors.
Saliva is needed not only to keep the mouth moist but also contains antibodies that prevent infections and help with the food bolus.
The most common complications are dry mouth and throat that makes swallowing difficult, tongue irritation, canker sores, gum inflammation and plaque buildup on the teeth.
There are different treatments that will depend on the causes and the situation of each patient.
Is there a ball in my mouth? My face is swollen.
These growths are usually benign in origin. You should go to your doctor who will perform an X-ray, clinically examine the area and explain the situation of the problem.
Benign tumors tend to grow more slowly, putting pressure on adjacent structures. Malignant tumors grow very quickly and can spread to other areas of the body.
It is important to treat them as soon as possible to minimize damage and discomfort.
I have acid reflux, does that affect my teeth? Do you drink a lot of fizzy drinks or acidic fruit?
Acidic components in the mouth, whether intrinsic (reflux, bulimia) or due to drinking too many carbonated drinks, can dissolve the first protective layer of the tooth, the enamel, which can cause sensitivity, color change, transparency of the front teeth, cavities in the back teeth and cavities.
Once the enamel has dissolved, the dentin is exposed and wears away much faster and everything mentioned above will appear.
There are multiple options for preventive or reconstructive treatment depending on the degree of erosion you have and the cause.
We recommend that you come and visit us and we will explain the best option for your specific case, preventing further damage to your teeth.
